CHAPTER 27: Heavy Metals – Lead, Mercury and Cadmium and Their Impact on DNA Damage Measured by the Micronucleus Assay

Epidemiological findings indicate that mercury, lead and cadmium species cause cancer in humans. The results of occupational studies show that exposure to the former two metals causes formation of micronuclei in exposed humans and also in experiments on laboratory rodents, while the data obtained for cadmium are controversial. Only a few studies were published concerning cadmium and the exposure scenarios are inconsistent. These different metals cause DNA damage via various mechanisms, including inhibition of the DNA repair processes, therefore, they may also cause synergistic effects in individuals who are exposed to other genotoxic carcinogens.